Dam gate and operating apparatus



Jan; 11, 1944. J. KALlx DAM GATE AND OPERATING ABPARATUS Filea Jan. .5, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 JEL/4,71, Ka, /fae Jan. 11, 1944.

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J. KALIX DAM GATE AND OPERATING APPARATUS Jan. 11, 1944.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 3, 1942 NGN Patented Jan. 1l, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE (Cl. (i1-'28) (Granted under the act 0f March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 3700. G. 757) 13 Claims.

This invention described herein may be manufactured and used by -or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to an improved gate of the type employed as a barrier to control the ow of water from reservoirs of various kinds such, for example, as penstocks leading to Water wheels in power installations and to an improved mechanism for operating and handling such gates.

Gates of this type are ordinarily provided with anti-friction rollers or other antifriction means to facilitate the actual opening or closing of the gate. When the closing operation is at comparatively great depth, the kinetic force -of the water is immerse. It is obvious that for the best operation of such rollers they must be accurately machined and so hung that they bear evenly over their full face. Gates as now constructed have an overhung roller cage requiring an extremely heavy gate to reduce deilection. It is, accordingly, an object of this invention to provide a means of mounting the rollers which will permit the maximum amount of gate deflection and at the same time transmit the forces perpendicularly to the guideway. By the use of such means a gate Iof much lighter Weight than is noW practical may be used.

When, for example, the opening of the penstock is one hundred or more feet below the pond level, the hydrostatic pressure on the closed gate may be as great as four million pounds or more. The problem of sealing the gate against these pressures and at the same time keeping the opening resistance to a minimum is immense. Gates as now generally used are bronze lined, built on an incline, the wedge effect of which produces an indeterminate amount of pressure which, under sliding friction, requires an uncertain amount of pull to overcome. The screw adjustment as now used tends to leak and stick in the wedgeshaped seal. It is, accordingly, afurther object of this invention to provide a vertically reciproeatin-g gate which will obviate these objections' 45 and at the same time oifer a substantially watertight seal whereby the power requirements for hoisting or lowering will be reduced.

I further propose to use tailrace gates for the turbines, instead of, as is now the general practice, the head gates, in order to prevent vacuum, hammer and the collapse of the penstock when a quick gate closure is needed. No critical position exists at any place during the closure when the spouting velocity together with the air vent 55 supply is not filling up the penstock and especially so at the runaway speed. The use of the head gates creates vacuum and then creates more vacuum when the water in the penstock is reaching the lower level of the distributor, while the penstock is kept at the same diameter througout this length. Vacuum is ,also created by the underside of the water stream and the supplied air must break through these, creating turbulence, waves, hammenand, as has actually happened, collapse ofthe pipe. It is, therefore, a still further object of this invention to make use of a tailrace gate whereby all of the dangers and costly Apossibilities are eliminated and a quick closing of the Water passage by the gate, as a necessity, can safely be applied.

These and other objects of my invention will become apparent upon a consideration of the following description and the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1' is a cross section view of a dam incorporating my improved gate;

Fig. 2 is an end cross-sectional view of my improved gate.

Fig. 3 is a view along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a View along the line 4l---JI of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is'a View, partly in cross section, of an improved hoisting apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional View along the line 'I-l vof Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view along the line 8-8 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the rack and pawl mechanism shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit utilized to accomplish push-button lowering of the gate.

Referring to Fig. 1,' the numeral I represents the body of the dam in which my improved gate is to be used. The dam is .provided with a gate opening 2 through which the water supply passes to the penstock 3. An air shaft 4 is provided and has its lower end opening into the penstock 3. The numeral 5 represents the Well through which the gate 6 is raised or lowered by means of rope l and hoisting means 8. The operating floor 9 is reached by means of manholes I0. The upper portion of the well 5 is provided with an enlarged section I I 'arranged 'so that with the gate ti raised to its top position it is readily accessible. Working platforms I2 may be provided at desired points to facilitate repairs. Gate guides I3 extend into the lower portion of the well a distance somewhat greater than the height `of the gate 6. The gate guides I3 are provided with tapered ends I4 to insure the proper entry of the gate 6. The Stop log I5 is of any conventional design.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3, and 4, my improved gate consists of a back plate I6 to which are attached at equal intervals H members I1. End members I8 are welded adjacent the ends of the back plate I6. Rocker trackways I9 are flexibly held in position against the free side of the end members I8. Semicircula-r track sections 20 are attached to the ends of the back plate I6 and the trackway I9 and completes the track for the endless chain bearing 21. Side bearings 22, mounted on supports 23 and riding against the bearing strip 24 insure against the binding of the sides of the gate. Adjacent the rocker end of the end members I8 is welded a semiciroular plate 25 having a turned lip 26. A iiat plate 21 having oppositely raised end portions 28 and 29 and loosely supported at suitable intervals by bearing posts 30 extends along the lip 26 on both sides of the gate. The bearing -posts 30 are provided with rounded heads 3I adapted to fit snugly into similarly recessed portions 32 in the flat plates 21. Springs 33 tend to force end portions 28 into contact with the side of the gate channel. Similar bearing posts 34 are used to hold the rocker I9 in place. A flat plate 35 similar to ilat plate 21 is fastened by bearing posts 36 across the top of the gate to the free side of the top H member.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, the hoisting rope 1 is fastened to the gate by a bumper hitch. Eye bolts 33 are fastened to the shaft 31 of the bumper and extend through the webs of the first two H beams. An I beam 39, extending between said H beams, is centrally located between the bolts 38 and together with reinforcing plate 4l! forms a secure attachment for the hoist rope 1.

The bottom construction of my improved gate will be clear from a consideration of Figs. 2 and 3. A substantially semioircular member 4I is secured to the inner sides of the lowermost H member. It is provided with a raised portion 42 adapted to coact with the dam base member 43. Strengthening ribs 44 extend across the bottom member 4I at suitable intervals.

In order to provide for the easy seating of the gate, hydraulic valves 45, having projecting rods 46, are provided. Holes 41 are placed at intervals along the penstock side of the bottom 4I in order to admit water for the operation of the hydraulic valves. The operation of these valves will be clear from a consideration of Fig. 2. When the gate is raised the spring 48 will force the piston 49 down, extending the rod 45 through the bottom 4I uncovering ports 59 which, in turn, allow water to enter the piston chamber. As the gate is lowered the extended rods 46 will be engaged by the step 5I. The continued lowering of the gate will force the piston 49 upward against the water pressure. The ports 5D will limit the egress of water and the valve will thus cushion the seating of th gate.

The above-described construction will permit a gate of relatively light weight to be used since by means of the rocker construction an even distribution of the `water pressure is transpermissible deflection of the gate can be used.

iii)

The side and top water seal, as illustrated, together with the bottom seal provide a substantially water-tight gate. The water pressure acting on the flat plates 21 and is balanced about the bearing posts and te carried on the gate. The contact points are arranged so as to be equidistant from the bearing posts. The springs 33, placed at intervals exert a gentle contacting pressure. Thus when hoisting or lowering the gate substantially no seal friction exists and no additional hoisting capacity is needed.

To provide a simple and efficient hoisting system I have designed the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Referring to these figures, the numeral itil represents the main shaft. It is carried by bearings I e2 supported on beams H13. The power drum E94 is keyed to the sha-ft lli! by means of a readily removable key |85. Mounted on the power drum IM is an endless rope pulley lii. The power rope I91 is attached to any suitable power source suoli as a gantry crane. The hoisting drum Illa, carries a link chain l to .which is fastened the upper end of the hoisting rope 1. The wheel II carries a racked section Hl and a brake section H2. The brake lining is represented by the numeral m8 and may be of any conventional material. The brake is of conventional design and is operated by solenoid 29. A one-way pawl H4 operates in conjunction with the racked section lll to normally limit the direction of rotation of the main shaft IDI to its'elevating sense. Hoisting drum I and wheel H0 are fixed to the main shaft by means of keys II5 and IIE respectively. A solenoid II1 is provided to hold the pawl Ils out of engagement with the racked section Ill.

The operation oi my improved hoisting mechanism is as follows: The key m5 is inserted between the loose power drum IM and the main shaft HH. The hook on the end of the lpower rope is pulled by the gantry for the stroke length while the pawl H4 will suspend it automatically at any, or mainly at the stroke end,A position. The diameterof the power drum and the gantry stroke are arranged so that a single stroke will serve to lift the gate to its fully open position. The hoist rope l is of the rectangular type and will build up successive layers with each revolution of the main shalt lill. Thus, with the gate in its lowered position, at which position the friction drag is greatest, the lever arm between the hoist rope 1 and the main shaft lill will be a minimum. Since it is the force produced about this lever arm which must be overcome the power re'- quirements vwill be least when the load is heaviest. As the gate is raised the hoist rope lever arm increases while at the same time the drag decreases. The resultisasubstantially uhiform power requirement of the gantry, which, consequently, can be designed to b-e operated always at its point of highest efliciency. A further advantage derived from the use vof spiral layers vof the hoist rope is the fact that, due to the change in circumference per layer, the speed of the gate near its seat, when raising or lowe ering, will be reduced, with constant angular velocity of the main shaft.

Assuming the gate to be in its fully open position after a single stroke or" the gantry, if it is desired to lower the gate, the hook is lowered, the power rope H11 forming a'loop which will be rewound upon the power drum H34 by the lowervries a lever arm |22.

aassgva ing of the gate. If it is desired to further elevate the gate, the key is removed, the apparatus being held from rotation by the pawl H4, and the power rope |01 rewound upon the power drum H34 by means of the endless rope pulley |65. The key is then replaced when a further stroke of the gantry will elevate the gate a stroke length. The process is repeated until the gate is in the desired position. With the gate in its uppermost position, its entire removal will only necessitate the lifting of the compactly wound durm and associated apparatus Wh'ich will be of minimum weight.

The means I have provided for lowering the gate will be apparent upon a consideration of 1Figs. 7, 9, and 1D. The pawl i4 is provided with an extended arm i8 of magnetic material which is adapted to coact with the solenoid The pivoted end of the pawl ||4 pivots about shaft HQ carried by the eccentric |20. The eccentric |2 is free te rotate in the support |2| and car- Spring |40 tends to force the pawl lit into contact with the racked portion of the wheel H0. A small motor |23 carries a pulley |24 about which is wound the rope |25. The free end of the rope |25 lis attached to the lever arm |22. Spring |26 tends to return the lever arm |22 to its clockwise position against the stop |21 and is strong enough to overcome the resistance of the unergized motor |23. For the purpose of clarity have not illustrated the brake mechanism, which is of conventional design, other than to illustrate the brake lining |28 on the brake section ||2 of the wheel HQ. A solenoid l and plunger serve to actuate the brake. The plunger .|30 is attached to the brake lever and carries an insulated portion having contacts |3|, |32. and |33 mounted thereon.

Referring particularly to Figs. 9 and 10, a push button |34 is placed in the power line lead at any convenient location. The closing of this button completes the circuit through the motor |23, contact contact |3I, a portion of the solenoid |253, variable resistance |35 and closed circuit button itl. The energization of the motor imparts, through rope |25 a counterclockwise rotation to the eccentric |2ii, which in turn forces the pawl H4 to the left against the racked section ii of the wheel |451. At the same time the solenoid 42S is energized and lowers the plunger |39 tightening the brake shoes against the lining |28 and thus holding the main shaft against further rotation in either direction. As the plunger |30 is lowered, step |38 engages the arm of contact |35 and a further lowering of the plunger |30 opens the motor circuit. Just prior to the opening of the motor circuit, contact |32 engages contact 39 so that upon opening of the motor circuit the solenoid |29 is fully energized and the brake fully applied. As the motor circuit is opened, the spring |253 imparts a clockwise rotation to the lever arm |22 releasing the pawl 4 .rom tight engagement with the racked section i The complete motion of the plunger |30 engages contacts !33 and Mi completing the circuit to solenoid The energization of solenoid ll'.' withdraws the pawl H4 from possible contact with' the racked section against the action of spring |60. The tension on the brake regulated by the resistance it and by this means the gate is lowered. Closed circuit button |31 is placed on the gate and is arranged so that when the gate is seated the circuits will be opened. The opening of the circuits deenergizes the solenoids releasing the brake, freeing pawl I4 vand placing the apparatus in readiness for further operation. The push button |34 is released after the gate is fully lowered.

While I have described my invention with particularity it is to be understood that I do not Wish to be limited to the particular elements and arrangements disclosed since various modifications within the spirit of the invention will suggest themselves to one skilled in the art.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and wish to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A seal for a sluice gate in a gateway including a bearing post attached to said gate and a member pivotally mounted on said bearing-post and having oppositely extended arms, one of said arms having an inwardly oiset portion arranged to contact said gate, the other of said arms having an outwardly offset portion arranged to contact said gateway.

2. A seal according to claim 1 wherein said member is mounted on said bearing post at a point substantially equidistant from said offset portions.

3. A seal according to claim l including, in addition, means for insuring contact of said offset portions with said gate and gateway.

4. Sealing means for a sluice gate in a gateway including a bearing post attached to said gate, a member on said bearing post and having oppositely extended arms, one of said arms having an inwardly oiset portion arranged to contact said gate, the other of said arms having an outwardly offset portion arranged to Contact said gateway, said member being mounted on said bearing post at a point substantially equidistant from said ends, and means for insuring contact of said ends with said gate and gateway.

5. An arrangement for forming a seal between a gate and a gate opening, including, a bearing post and a member pivotally attached to said bearing post, said member having oppositely extended arms, one of said arms having an inwardly I offset portion arranged to contact said gate, the

other of said arms having an outwardly oifset portion arranged to contact said gateway adapted to engage said gate and said gateway at points substantially equidistant from said bearing post.

6. A sluice gate, a relatively light back plate, a plurality of horizontally disposed bracing members attached to said back plate, the sides of said bracing members away from said back plate being unattached, end members attached to said back plate, a sectionalized endless trackway mounted on each end of said gate, the rear vertical sections of said trackways being formed by guide members attached to said back plate, the front vertical sections of said trackways being pivotally attached to the free edge of said end members, and roller trains supported by said trackways.

7. A sluice gate according to claim 6 in which said roller .trains extend past the front and rear of said gate whereby the rollers at both front and rear vertical positions may be engaged when said gate is lowered.

8. A sluice gate comprising, in combination, means for mounting said sluice gate for vertical movement, said means including laterally arranged, vertically disposed gateways extending to a base member positioned Within a step, and hydraulically controlled means in connection with the lower end of said gate and coacting with said step for retarding the seating movement oT said gate onto said step.

9. A sluice gate comprising, in combination,

`means for mounting said sluice gate for vertical movement, said means including laterally arranged, vertically disposed gateways extending to a base member positioned within a step, hydraulically controlled seating means carried by said gate, said means including cylinders, springpressed pistons mounted within said cylinders, and downwardly projecting piston rods connected to said pistons adapted to cushion the closing contact of said gate upon said base member.

10. A sluice gate comprising, in combination, means for mounting said sluice gate for vertical movement, said means including laterally arranged, vertically disposed gateways extending to a base member positioned within a step, hydraulically controlled means in connection with the lower end of said gate and coacting with said step for retarding the seating movement of the gate onto said step, said means including cylinders, spring-pressed pistons mounted within said cylinders, and downwardly projecting piston rods connected to said pistons and adapted to eiect a gradual closing of said gate.

11. A sluice gate comprising, in combination, a back plate provided with laterally spaced rear tracks, semicircular track sections disposed at upper and lower extremities of said gate in alignment with rear tracks, laterally spaced end members attached to said back plate and projecting perpendicularly thereto, and rocker trackways flexibly connected to said end members to complete an endless track around said gate.

12. A sluice gate comprising, in combination,

a back plate provided with laterally spaced rear tracks, H members connected to said back plate, semicircular track sections disposed at the upper and lower extremities of said gate in alignment with said rear tracks, laterally spaced end members attached to said back plate and projecting perpendicularly thereto, rocker trackways flexibly connected to the outer edge of said end members to complete endless tracks around said gate, and semicircular plates connected to said end members adjacent their outer extremities and to said end members to provide forward track chambers.

13. A sluice gate comprising, in combination, a back plate provided with laterally spaced rear tracks, H members connected to said back plate, semicircular track sections disposed at the upper and lower extremities of said gate in alignment with said rear tracks, laterally spaced end members attached to said back plate and projecting perpendicularly thereto, rocker trackways iiexibly connected to the outer edge of said end members to complete endless tracks around said gate, semicircular plates connected to said end members adjacent their outer extremities and to said end members to provide forward track chambers, and means for sealing said track chambers.

J O'HN KALIX. 

